Chapter 135 BOOK 2: CHAPTER 25

Chapter 135 BOOK 2: CHAPTER 25
—Amira—
Curiosity flickered through me as I followed Nathaniel out of the hall. Joining his convoy, we eased out of the venue and melted into the streets of Paris.
He placed a hand on mine and we shared a knowing smile.
“How far is this place or thing you want to show me?” I asked.
“We're almost there.”
I let out a breath. And when I glanced out of the window again, we approached a port. Dock lights flashed across the rippling waters and several yachts lining the pier.
“Where’s this place?”
“Port de Plaisance de Paris–Arsenal,” Nate replied, the French rolling fluently off his tongue. I found myself wondering what other languages he spoke with such ease.
“So is that the surprise?”
He folded his arms. “Maybe not.”
A quiet laugh passed before us.
“So tell me, what other languages do you speak?” I asked.
“English. French. Spanish. German. Portuguese. Korean...”
“Korean?” I repeated.
“My father’s best friend is Korean.” Something flickered across his expression. “When we were kids, we often visited South Korea during the holidays.”
The more he spoke, the more I realized how little of him I truly knew. And how much I wanted to.
I laced my fingers through his and leaned closer until our lips met again.
We kissed briefly before turning back to the window as the convoy eased into the port.
Nathaniel stepped out first.
Adjusting his cuffs, he opened my door and gave me a hand. I climbed out and took in the panorama.
The gentle lapping of the river and the muted clink of rigging mixed with the occasional laughter from nearby restaurants.
Footsteps echoed behind us... Nate's men discreetly keeping tabs on us.
“What do you think?” he asked.
“It's beautiful,” the words left my lips before I could stop them. “Is that the surprise you talked about?”
A knowing smile played on his lips as he kissed my cheek.
“Walk with me.”
No answer, huh?
I fell into steps beside him.
Our footsteps echoed as we walked down the pier.
It wasn't until we approached a line of yachts that the puzzle began to fit, especially when Nate's men fanned toward the most luxurious yacht.
“Welcome to ‘Eclipse 9',” Nate said.
My breath hitched.
It was a superyacht, stood at over 300 feet.
“Is this… yours?”
Nate nodded. “Yes.”
I tried not to gape as I took in its features. “It's very gorgeous.”
He laughed. “Come. There's something else I want to show you?”
Something else?
We climbed onto the yacht, and I heard a familiar voice.
“Nathaniel!”
I flung myself and saw Damian approaching in a white shirt and black trousers, a drink in hand. Beside him was a woman in a midi floral dress. 
My eyes widened when I quickly recognized her.
“Eloise. Damian,” Nathaniel called.
So this was the surprise all along?
A smile played on my lips as the triplets shared a hug. 
Nathaniel walked back to me and laced his fingers through mine.
“Meet Amira, the woman after my heart,” he said, eyes shining with pride.
He was officially introducing me to his family.
“Oh, the woman after my brother’s heart,” Eloise drawled.
“It's good to see you again,” Damian added.
“I hope we can become good friends,” Eloise chipped in.
I beamed. “I hope so too.”
Damian smirked. “So, you actually managed to sweep the good boy off his feet?”
Nate gasped. “What?”
A laugh passed between us.
“Nate. Let me steal her for a min,” Eloise said, looping her arm through mine. “Come with me, Amira.”
She led me away.
The cool night's breeze brushed past us as we stepped on an upper deck. A slow jazz played from hidden speakers.
I glanced over my shoulder, and the men were trailing after us, but whispered something that had them chuckling.
“Hi,” Eloise said.
“Hi,” I replied. 
She studied me. “Now I understand why Nathaniel fell for you. You're very beautiful.”
I blushed. “Thank you. He said you were born in Nigeria.”
“Yes,” she nodded. “We were born in Port Harcourt... spent our early days there before moving back to the States. It's a long story.”
“I see.” I looked over my shoulder again at Nathaniel. “I love him.”
Eloise grinned. “I know. Even a blind man can see the chemistry between you two.”
“He never talks about his ex.”
“That's because he doesn't have one,” Eloise explained. “You're the first woman to ever capture my brother's heart.”
Wait! He was a virgin that night?
I swallowed hard.
“I love your necklace,” Eloise said.
My hands darted to the jewelry, a smile curving my lips. “Nathaniel bought it for me today.”
“Nathaniel is such a gentleman, has always been since we were kids," she said.
“Tell me more.”
Eloise beamed and glanced across the waters.
“Nathaniel is the youngest of our three, but there's something about him. He was the quietest, the peacemaker and the most emotional intelligent of our trio.”
I blinked, speechless.
“He was also the most responsible—whether in business, family or personal life,” Eloise added.
My heart swelled with pride.
I peeked over my shoulder as footsteps echoed toward us: Damian and Nathaniel.
“What are you ladies discussing?” Damian asked.
Eloise and I exchanged a knowing glance.
“Nothing,” she answered. “Just some ladies' talk, that's all.”
Nathaniel grabbed my hand. “Time up. I need my woman back.” He gently pulled me into his arms and kissed my cheek.
“Easy on us, brother,” Eloise chipped, voice laced with amusement. “Some of us are still single.”
We broke into another laugh.
Damian snapped his fingers and a crew member approached with a bottle of campagne and wine glasses.
He lowered the ice-bucket on a table and handed us our glasses before walking back to his spot.
A pop echoed into the night as Damian opened the bottle. My eyes spun a little.
“Are you okay?” Nate asked, noticing me sway.
“I'm, I'm good,” I said.
We turned to Damian as he poured champagne into our glasses. Lowering the bottle, he raised his glass.
“To Nathaniel and Amira. May the journey ahead be as extraordinary as the view tonight.”
We clinked glasses, others quickly sipping from their glasses.
But cold sweat broke on my skin. My glass slipped from my grasp.
The shattering of the glass mingled with their shocked gasps.
“Amira!” Nathaniel quickly lowered his glass and caught me before I hit the floor. “Baby, are you alright?”
“We should get a doctor,” Damian blurted.
“I'm...I'm fine,” I murmured. “I'm just exhausted. I need some rest.”
“Are you sure baby?” Nate asked, eyes filled with worries.
I nodded.
He quickly lifted me into his arms and steered to one of the yacht's cabin. 
It was big and opulent... Like a master's bedroom.
The last thing I remembered was Nathaniel lowering me onto the soft bed, before I drifted off to sleep.
When I opened my eyes again, it was morning, and I was still in my party clothes.
I turned around on the bed and noticed Nathaniel asleep on the couch... still in his tuxedo, except he'd discarded the jacket.
He'd watched me sleep last night and had fallen asleep.
A faint smile touched my lips.
I slid out of bed and covered him up with a blanket, then walked out of the room.
My feet echoed as I traced my way to the deck.
Closing my eyes, I filled my lungs with the fresh air and stared at the water.
The morning sun wrapped around me.
Then it hit me. That familiar wave of queasiness.
I darted to the nearest bathroom and retched a few times, but nothing came up.
Just as I washed my face, a familiar voice spoke.
“Does he know?”
I glanced up at my reflection, and Eloise stood behind me in a two-pieces pajamas.
“Know about what?”
“That you’re pregnant?”